I am a qualified, BACP Accredited counsellor, integrating Psychodynamic and Person Centred theories. I am also a Registered Member of the ACC (Association of Christians in Counselling).
My aim is to help you to understand why you feel the way you do. As you gain a better understanding of yourself, we can work together to plan how to cope with emotional and practical difficulties.
I am here to work with you as you learn more about yourself. I do not tell you what to do. You are the best person to know what the right solutions are for you as an individual. My role is to help you find the answers. I do this by encouraging you to talk about whatever you want.
Talking out loud to someone you trust can help to clarify and making sense of something. It can make some things feel less overwhelming, less scary, less confusing. It can help you put something in a new or different perspective. Talking about your concerns can help to relieve physical tension as the weight is lifted from your shoulders.
First Appointment - What to Expect
The aim of our first appointment is for you to get a feel for what counselling with me is like and to decide whether or not you wish to continue on a regular basis. You need to feel safe, comfortable and be able to trust me.
At the start of the session I will ask you for some personal details, including your doctor's contact details. I will also discuss with you the issue of confidentiality as well as length and frequency of sessions, payment, and my cancellation policy.
After that, the rest of the 50 minute sessions is for you to talk to me about whatever you want. This is when you will be able to decide if you want to continue working with me. It is also my chance to start getting to know you. If, at the end of the session, you choose not to continue counselling with me, the personal details you will have given me earlier will be shredded.